Save The Stick: 50% Of M2 Buyers Are Opting For The MANUAL Transmission

Again - what does 50% of a group of limited production small cars have to do with the overall market?

IT may be that performance versions might still sell with MANUALs -but I do not see why this ONE example would represent the whole industry - it doesn't'

If I were in the market I would definitely go manual.

I love a good manual, but these days automatics have more cogs and shift far faster. Give me an automatic with paddles. The writing is on the wall.

PS: Don't write me an essay on the man and the mechanical connection to the machine because I know the cliches and don't need to hear the prattling.

All 10 of them?

If I were in the market, I would buy a different car..say a GT350. Something reliable.

And you would adore the GT350.

gonna go the route of "automatic" watches, all the high-end demand is for analog. the masses... give them whatever is easiest because they can care less.

I agree there WAS a TIME IN THE PAST when Automatic transmission shifts were sloppy - or worse- but today with Some of both Regular Automatics - or Dual Clutch ones - a driver cannot shift as fast as these can - so this is where race cars went. It is not about "control" anymore - the automatics are simply better than a Manual for virtually ALL drivers. ANd while there are those that prefer shifting themselves - the fact is - unless it is a limited volume performance machine - people do not choose the manual anymore. Not only does it take money to engineer a car to use a manual - but certifications also cost money - and for most manufacturers - for their non-performance vehicles - the manuals sales come up WAY short.

LOL how much less can they care? Enquiring minds want to know.

TVR is exploring the automatic in the Mustang for a possible return to the USA and I applaud that.

Come on a manual is far better than an automatic for a couple good reasons 1) It deters car jackers. I have seen multiple news reports where the car jacker ran off because they could not drive a stick and 2) It deters my daughters friends/boy friends from asking to drive her car. Get an automatic and you might as well wave a flag... car jack me please!

haha

hehe, yeah its a great excuse sine 90% have never driven or seen a stick shift. for me another +ive is that it keeps the distractions at bay.

I plan on getting my son a manual vehicle so he can't text and drive.

50% seems low for an enthusiast sports car.

People want the M badge and the power but not the hassle of a stick.

for daily drivers, meaning they like using cell phone/ whatever other distractions, automatic is just the right thing.

Advantages of a manual transmission:
+ Costs less
+ Some people argue that it feels "more engaging", and therefore increases their driving pleasure

Advantages of a *good* dual-clutch transmission, like Porsche's PDK:
+ Quicker performance (0-60 mph, quarter mile, 0-100 mph, etc.)
+ Faster lap times on the track
+ Better fuel economy
+ Easier to get the best performance out of your car
+ Easier to use
+ Perfect launches (if you get "launch control" and you're into it)
+ Better suited for turbocharged engines, as it keeps the turbos spooled and ready

So, is this an argument about which transmission is "better"?

For what it's worth, Porsche is at the top of their game, and they offer stick in most of their cars. They even brought back the stick to some of their PDK-only models because... customers want it! That's a good enough reason. If a customer wants a stick, then give the customer what they want! The customer is happy, and the brand sells more units, so it's good all round.

mostly about a want thing. I like the engagement, plus the pdk sometimes decides to shift even in manual mode... which is kinda annoying.